Here, before us is Avenue des Combattants d’Afrique du Nord. This place carries a poignant history. It is a tribute to French soldiers. These soldiers were called to fight in North Africa.
Avenue des Combattants d’Afrique du Nord is not a grand boulevard. It is more of a simple space for pedestrians. Think of it as a wide sidewalk. It has a triangular shape. The avenue sits at the intersection of Boulevard Diderot and Rue de Lyon.
Imagine the scene at Gare de Lyon long ago. Many French soldiers boarded trains here. They were headed to Mediterranean ports. From there, they would sail to North Africa. This was during the Algerian War and the events surrounding the independence of Morocco and Tunisia.
Jacques Chirac, then mayor of Paris, created this place. That was back in 1984. The name “Place des Combattants en Afrique du Nord” was kept. Later, the name “Place du Dix-Neuf-Mars-1962” was given to a nearby intersection. It is located on Avenue Daumesnil.
Alfred Fierro once criticized the naming of this place. He felt the name was too long for such a small area. He described it as a “ridiculous” place at the crossroads. Despite the criticism, the Avenue des Combattants d’Afrique du Nord remains a memorial.
It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by French soldiers. These soldiers fought in North Africa. The Algerian War lasted from 1954 to 1962. Morocco and Tunisia gained independence in 1956.
There is also a monument to the soldiers. It stands in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery. This monument honors those who died for France in North Africa between 1952 and 1962.
The monument takes the shape of a book. It bears the names of 747 Parisians. These Parisians died or went missing during the conflicts.
So, as we stand here at Avenue des Combattants d’Afrique du Nord let us take a moment. Remember those who served. Remember the history connected to this place. Even though it is simple, it carries a powerful message of remembrance.